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The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

Upper school economics teacher showcases the myriad of board games he enjoys playing, whether it be with friends, family or his advisory. "The big draw to me is that board games allow you to connect with people in ways that you normally wouldn't be able to," Lizardo said. "Because sometimes we're just looking at a screen or playing video games, you don't actually get to see or talk to these people."

Meet your teacher: Economics teacher finds joy in board games

by Arely Sun, Winged Post Lifestyle Editor February 18, 2021

Behind his desk, upper school economics teacher Dean Lizardo keeps a stash of board games, stuffing the cubby of his tall bookshelf full of multicolored boxes.  “It would probably be pretty clear...

"When I was interviewed [for the Santa Clara Youth Poet Laureate position], I realized I was the youngest person at the table. And I was 32. I was wondering, 'How am I the youngest person here?'" Sapigao said. "And so I thought this whole thing would change if there was a young person at the table. That's part of the reason why I wanted to start the Youth Poet Laureate program."

The Poet’s Project: In conversation with Santa Clara Poet Laureate Janice Lobo Sapigao

by Sarah Mohammed, Winged Post Asst. Features Editor February 3, 2021

A virtual background of pink flowers in full bloom frame 2020-21 Santa Clara Poet Laureate Janice Lobo Sapigao’s face as she gazed thoughtfully, recounting her journey entering and moving through the...

Ayan Nath (11) edits "Boeing," one of the songs in "Galvanized Extended," the extended version of their debut album "Galvanized." "Galvanized Extended" was released Jan. 8.

Rising on the charts

by Sally Zhu, Humans of Harker Staff Profiler January 29, 2021

Two high school students, one love for music.  Music production pair “holyrico,” formed by juniors Arnav Dani and Ayan Nath, released the extended version of their debut album “Galvanized Extended”...

American jazz pianist Taylor Eigsti speaks on the effects of the pandemic on musicians. “To really understand the production of what goes on to put a show on, it really is a deep dive, since we kind of have to do this stuff ourselves now,” Eigsti said. “We have to wear a lot of hats; we have to learn how to be a sound engineer [and] a lighting person.”

All jazzed up

by Emily Tan, Features Editor January 27, 2021

In a broadcast of his 2018 Harker Concert Series performance, jazz pianist and composer Taylor Eigsti slides his fingers into place on the piano on the Patil Theater stage after a brief pause. With an...

From left to right, Jasmine Li (10), Sarah Raymond (12) and Aastha Mangla (10) rehearse lines in the Rothschild Performing Arts Center on Nov. 18. All three students are performing in senior director Vaishnavi Murari's play "It's Our Town, Too."

The show must go on: Student directors prepare plays to be shown virtually

by Alysa Suleiman, A&E Editor December 18, 2020

Ever since joining the performing arts community at the upper school in freshman year, Topaz Gao (12) knew they found their place of inspiration. Their journey in theater inspired them to dabble in playwriting,...

Swift’s career over the past decade or so has been defined by bright, showy music videos and star-studded live performances complete with pyrotechnics and magnificent displays. Current pandemic limitations have obviously altered the entertainment landscape, but Swift’s latest albums are proof that her genius lies not with the flamboyance of Hollywood but with the heart of her success: songwriting.

The mastermind of Taylor Swift, ever more a transcendent musician

by Varsha Rammohan, Editor-in-chief December 14, 2020

She’s done it again. In the last sixteen months, singer-songwriter and all-around musical vanguard Taylor Swift has released 56 new songs, six music videos, three feature-length films and two albums....

After Downbeat's performance, the upper school Jazz Band & Lab Band directed by Dave Hart played "Happy" by Pharrell Williams and arranged by Mike Tomaro.

Conservatory wishes the community happy holidays

by Emily Tan, Features Editor December 13, 2020

On Friday Dec. 11, the upper school community watched Harker’s middle school and upper school performing arts groups during the assembly period. Orchestra members faded in and out of the screen, the...

Kinetic Krew dances outside during a section of their virtual "White Flag" performance. The video was shown during the school meeting on Dec. 3.

No retreat, no surrender

by Alysa Suleiman, A&E Editor December 11, 2020

In wartime, a white flag represents an ultimate, definite concession. It calls the surrender, requests the truce and cements the defeat. But now, the pandemic has waged a war against normalcy, threatening...

Posters for "Let It Snow" (2019) and "The Polar Express" (2004). "Let It Snow" (2019) follows a series of relationships on Christmas Eve in a small snowy town, while "The Polar Express" features the adventures of a group of three children on Christmas Eve.

6 movies to warm you up this holiday season

by Sally Zhu, Humans of Harker Profiler December 9, 2020

During this holiday season, though we might not all have the opportunity to ski through snowy hills in Lake Tahoe or gather around a fireplace at a large Christmas party, we can still fill our time up...

I like my pens inky, my paper smooth and my pencils precise. Fancy writing supplies don’t necessarily give rise to magnificent works or penmanship, but, hey, they look and feel cool.

Sara’s Stationery: Pens

by Sara Yen, Winged Post Editor-in-Chief December 4, 2020

I like my pens inky, my paper smooth and my pencils precise. Fancy writing supplies don’t necessarily give rise to magnificent works or penmanship, but, hey, they look and feel cool. I’m by no means...

Student-produced podcasts like "Jock of All Trades" and those created by the Harker Podcast Network are becoming increasingly popular forms of entertainment for students during remote learning.

Podcasting from home

by Sabrina Zhu, Assistant STEM Editor November 4, 2020

Four students crouch in the back of the journalism room, their heads close together. A Blue Yeti microphone is barely visible, hidden at the center of their tight huddle. A voice speaks up. “Hey everyone!...

Take a step back from the chaos of the election. Limit your intake of news and social media pre-and-post election. Encourage positive conversations rather than heated debates over partisan topics. Practice relaxation techniques, be it yoga, meditation or anything else.

Staying Healthy with Saloni: Election edition

by Saloni Shah, Humans of Harker Editor-in-Chief November 1, 2020

How many times a day do you read political tweets? How many times do you scroll through Instagram posts encouraging you to vote one way or the other? How many times have your conversations with friends...

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